Building construction



Dec. 2, 1930. J. v. MONTRIEF 1,783,383

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed June 19," 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOJames V. nnIP'ie Dec. 2, 1930. J. v. MO'NTRIEF 1,783,383v

- BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FiIed June 19, 1928' s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO.

Jar nes V. IfInnTr-L ATTORN EYS.

Dec. 2, 1930. J. v. MONTRIEF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed June 19, 1928 3Sheets-Sheet '5 D Q FQ i INVENTOR.

J "1 5V TIunIr-ief ATTORN EYS.

Patented Dec. 2, 1930 v JAMES v. MO TRI'EF, or isninenronr, TEXAS BILnin'e consrauc'rxon Application filed June 19,.

This invention relates to improvements in building constructions. 1 Theprimary objectof this invention is the provision of novel means fordetachably assembling the various portions of a Wall construction in adurable and eflicient relation, and in such manner thatthe same may beassembled by relatively unskilled labor, without the use of mortarbetween the joints of the building blocks.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a buildingconstruction inoluding a novel wall structure made up of aplurality ofparts which are relatively detachable, and have a salvage value which ispractically 100%, in that-the different sections comprising the wall arenot interconnected by any permanent connection such as cement, mortar,and the like, but the connection for 0 the sections is detachable andadmits of the relative disassemblage of the parts.

A further object of this invention is the provision of novelmeans forvertically and transversely supporting and reinforcing the wallconstruction with a plurality of parts which do not depend for theirstability upon any mortar bond.

[1; further object of this invention is the provision of a wallstructure for buildings, and the like, which may be formed of aplurality of blocks without a mortar bond held together by means ofhorizontal reinforcing means which in effect reinforces the horizontalrows of blocks intoa beam-like formation; the improved buildingconstruction including means to vertically reinforce'the blocks in acooperative beamrelation between a foundation and a cap plate; improvedmeans being provided to tie or anchor adjacent andsuperposed blockstogether.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent duringthe course of the followi g detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andwherein similar reference characters designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved wall construction, showingportions thereof 1928. Serial No} 286,556.

in section to designate the novel details and features thereof.

Fi ure 2 is a-frao'mentar vertical sectional b a vlew taken through theimproved wall construction showing lation of building more particularlythe reblocks and the means for vertically reinforcing the same.

Flgure 3 1s a .llOl'lZQllilEtl sectional v ew taken through portions ofthe wall construction, substantially ure 2.

on the line 3 3 of F ig- Figure 4- is a fragmentary sectional Viewshowmg a corner of wall constructlon formed after this lnvention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentaryperspective view of a block such as will beplaced in the body of the improved wall. v

Figure 6 1s a perspective view of a corner block for the wall.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through thevertical reinforcing means which vertically ties the superposed blocksof the building together; the structure including means to make thefoundation bear some of the roof load should the wall be made of lightblocks which might fracture.

Figure 8 IS a fragmentary side elevation of a horizontal reinforcingmember used to tie a plurality of blocks in a h-oriaontal row, into abeam-like structure.

Figure 9-is a side elevation of a novel tie or anchor for conn blockstogether.

ecting individual adjacent In the drawings, wherein for the purposeofillustration is sl iown only a preferred emis mounted for the supportof a roof D or analogous superstructure.

The foundation B is of any approved charactor, and is although the samespecific construction. The building preferably reinforced concrete,

is not to be limited to any construction of course-may include aplurality of base walls 10 as comprising the foundation B, and inwardlyof the top surface 11 thereof are anchor nersof the buildin ed eye bolts12, at the cor 1 g construction, and at any intermediate points alongthe foundation sills between the corners, where it is desirable toprovide vertical reinforcement and tie connections for the wallconstruction C. The eye bolts 12 include bottom anchor means embedded inthe preferably cementitious foundation B, and the loops or eyes of thesame extend upwardly above the top surfaces 11 of the wall portions ofthe base B to provide openings 13, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 7 ofthe drawings, for detachably re ceiving the lower hooked ends ofvertical connecting elements 15, which in the draw ings are illustratedas rods, although flexible elements may be used in place thereof, suchas chains.

Referring further to the wall construction C, the same is preferablymade up of hollow concrete building blocks or tiling. The blocks may beof any construction or materials, and a plurality of the same areprovided. In general, building blocks, connected by vertical tie andreinforcing means, provide vertical columns at the corners of thebuilding, the said columns or corner structures of the walls B beingconnected at their upper ends by horizontal beams or rafter plates. Atany location along the beams the blocks may be connected to thefoundation B by vertical tie and reinforcing means, which also ties theintermediate portions of the wall blocks or sections together. Theblocks are laid in horizontal rows in interconnected relation with theblocks forming the corner columns, and horizontal reinforcement isprovided for horizontally connecting the corner columns together withinthe area of the wall.

More specifically referring to the general features of the wallconstruction above mentioned, a lower horizontal line of blocks 10 arelaid directly on the foundation B, and superposed on the blocks 10 is asecond upper horizontal line of these blocks 10. The joints between theblocks of the lower row are staggered with respect to the joints betweenthe blocks of the next upper row. This staggering or overlapping of theblocks of one row with adjacent rows is continued tlnroughout the heightof the wall.

At the corners of the wall C, if the wall is a dead end wall, alternateblocks throughout the height of the corner construction are end facing,to stagger the joints, so that at the corner construction formed by thejuncture of two side walls, alternate blocks are turned at right anglesto each other, that is, with their longitudinal axes at right angles, sothat the ends of blocks in alternate rows at the corners face on onewall and the sides of the remaining blocks of the corner constructionface on the same side of the wall. The corner blocks 1O are special, asshown in Figure 6.

The blocks 10 and 10 are hollow, that is,

formed similarly to conventional hollow tiling or hollow concreteblocks, and providing the outer and inner sides 16, and the ends 17,which are of predetermined thickness. The interior of each block isprovided with a web 18 parallel with the ends 17 of the block, andsubdividing the interior of the block into a pair of rectangular or ovalcompartments 19 which are open at the top and bottom of the block. a

It is'readily apparent that when the rows of blocks are in superposedrelation, there will be vertical passageways provided through each ofthe walls C. These vertical passageways at the corners of each of thewalls C are of j iarticular advantage, since the tie or verticalconnecting rods are disposed therethrough.

A. connecting and superstructure supporting beam 20 is provided at thetop of each wall C, extending the length of the all C, and the ends ofwhich are apertured for receiving the upper ends of the tie rods Abovethe beam 20 the tie rods 15 are screw threaded for detachably receivingthe clamping nuts 21 which are Cltlll'lPQtl upon the beam 20. The nut 21at the corner of each of the walls is adjusted on the rod 15 tightagainst the beam 20, and as the hook, at the lower end the rod 15 isconnected to an eye bolt '12, the corner blocks 10 on each of thecorners of the building are tied together, that is vertically clampedtogether, to stabilize the positioning of the same.

The attachment of the rod 15 in this manner is rendered easy, in view ofthe fact that the aligning passageways or voids in the blocks at thecorners of the wall are e posed so that the rod 15 may be slippeddownwardly therethrough towards the foundation or base B at the bottomof each of the corner passageways thus formed. by the aligning voids ofthe corner blocks is disposed the eye bolt 19, and the lower end of thetie rod 153 is provided with a laterally otl'set J -shaped hool; 25which is laterally insertable into the aperture opening 13 of the eyebolt. After this placement of the tie rods the beam 20 is connected atits ends to the upper ends of the tie rod 15 in the nut clamped relationdefined. It is readily apparent that this connects the wall C at itsends, providing a horizontal beam tie at the top thereof.

If the wall C is sulficiently long it may be desirable to providevertical reinforcement, both at the corners of the building andintermediate the ends of the wall, and to this end intern'iediatevertical tie rods 1.3 may be connected between the base B and the beam20 in the same relation as above described.

It will be desirable under certain circumstances to provide horizontaltie connections throughout the length of the wall C, and simple andnovel means are provided to effect such result in the nature ofhorizontal tie rods which extend longitudinaly between certain rows ofthe wall; the tie rods at their ends being connected to the cornerblocks at the ends of the wall. Thus, such tie rod construction isillustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings, as consisting in theprovision'of relatively adjustable horizontal rod sections 31 and 32,which at the outer ends thereof are provided with downturned anchorextensions 3% in right angled relation to the rod sections 31 and 32;these anchor extensions 34 having projections or anchor teeth 36 on theinner faces thereof, that is the faces which face in the direction ofthe run of the tie rod 30. At their adjacent endsthe rod sections 31 and32 are formed in novel relation. The rod 31 is'preferably provided witha lowered offset 3?, which at the free end thereof is provided with aring or loop 33 disposed in a plane at right angles to the run or axisof the rod section 31. The rod section 32 is straight and at its endadjacent therod section 31 is adapted to be threaded through theopeningof the ring or loop 38. The ring or loop 38 is provided with a set screwor bolt which is adapted to be clamped against the end of the rod 32which extends through the loopor ring 38 in order to connect the rodsections 31 and 32 in an adjustable longitudinally aligning relation. 7

The horizontal tie rod structures 30 are of course placed during thehorizontal placement of the blocks which form the wall G.

locks 10 and 10 are formed in a novel relation for the reception of therods 30, as is illustrated in the various views of the drawings. Theblocks in the facing edges of the superposed rows between which thehorizontal tie rod construction 30 is to be placed, are provided withgrooves l0. These grooves 40 are provided in the blocks adjacent theouter wall. part 16 of each of the'blocks, inwardly of the edges of theend and partition wall parts 17 and 16 respectively, as is illustratedin Figure 4i of the drawings. Preferably half of the thicknesses of therod portions of thetie rod construction 3 are embedded in the blocks ofthe lower row and the remain ing half of said rod sections are in theblocks of the upper row, so that the rods 31 and 32 are snugly receivedbetween'the upper and lower rows with the facing edges of the upper andlower rows of blocks in abutting relation, so as not to leave anycrevice or cracks therebetween. In the placement of the rodconstruction30 the anchor extension 341- of the rod portions 31 and 32are inserted in the end voids or compartments 19 of the corner blocks 10atthe corner ends of the wall, with the rod portions31 and 32 extendingtowards each other and lowered into the aligning grooves 40. of saidblocks, and with the rod section 31. Such a tool may then be used aswill pull the rod sections 31 and 32 together, with suiiicient force toclamp .the

teeth 36 of the anchor extension 34 into the end blocks in the row onwhich the tie construction 30 is anchored, and while under such pullingforce the set screw 40 is clamped upon the'rod 32, and this ties therods 31 and 32 together against relative longitudinal movement in eitherdirection.

The horizontal tie rod sections 30 are of course provided in anyapproved number along the wall C, and they are applied as abovedescribed during formation of the wall C. Due to the fact that thegrooves 40 are provided closer to the outer sides of the blocks, thecompartments 19 are not obstructcd by the horizontal tie rods 30, sothat the vertical tie rods 15 and 15 may he properly placed when thewall is formed to that extent where it is desirable to clamp thevertical rods in the relation above described.

It may be desirable to provide means for quickly tying adjacent blocksto. each other and anchoring theblocks of one row into the blocks of alower row. This means may consist in providing an inverted Jshapedanchor or tie 50, best shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, as comprisinga long shank or leg 51 and a shorter shank or leg 52parallel with theleg 51 and connected therewith by means of a right angled connectingportion 53. The tie member is formed of bar material bent to form andthe legs 51 and 52 are spaced suiiiciently to snugly lit within adjacentsockets at theends of adj acent blocks.

The blocks 10 are preferably provided at each of the ends thereof withvertical passageways 55 therethrough, which are in parallel relation;the top surfaces of said blocks having right angled grooves 56 leadingto the adjacent end faces of said blocks, as shown in Figure 5. On thetop surfaces of the blocks 10 within which the grooves 56 are formed, itpreferred to provide dead end passageways or sockets 60 which liebetween the passageways of the blocks, and extend about one-half thruthe thickness of the blocks; being intended to receive the extremelowerends of the legs 51 of the anchor 50 as will be subsequently described.

In the assemblage of the tie members 50, it is to be noted that they areplaced upon those rows of blocks which donot have the horizontalconnecting means 30. In assemblage,-"with' the blocks in the wall end toend, the shank 51 of the J-shaped tie member 50 is slipped downwardlyinto oneof the end passageways 55 until the lower end thereof extendsinto the intermediate socket 60 in a block of the next lower row. Thefree end of theother shank 52 will then slip into the passageway 55 ofan adjacent block in the same row, and the connecting piece 53 will beseated in thealigning grooves 56 on the tops of the two blocks whichhave thus been connected. lVith the blocks of a row end to end it is tobe noted that the adjacent passageways 55 of said blocks are spacedaccording to the center line spacing of the legs 51 and 52 of one of thetie members 50. This holds the blocks 10 in an end to end relation whichwillprevent them from pulling apart. It is preferred that the grooves 56are deep enough to receive the entire thickness of the connecting piece53 of the tie members 50, as shown in Figure l. The corner blocks 10have to be grooved and recessed a little different than the otherblocks. to receive the ties 50, and as shown in Figure 6 of thedrawings, one end of the corner block 10 is provided with the verticalpassageways 55 in the same relation as described for the block 10, andwith similar top grooves 56. At one side of the block 10 towards theopposite end, the same provided with two vertical mssageways 65 acaptedto re ceive the long shanks or legs of the tie mem bers 50; the upperand lower faces of the said blocks 10 being provided with grooves ('36in right angled relation to the passageway 65 and outletting on thenearest side of the said blocks. It is to be noted that both the upperand lower faces of the corner blocks 1O are provided with the grooves40, and (36, in order to make Liem rights and lefts for positionlengthwise at either of the walls forming a corner intersection of abuilding structure. The assemblage of the anchor membe s 5) the cornerblocks will. be apparent from the foregoing.-

Under some circumstances it may be desirable to use a light weightblock, or of a material which will not stand heavy'floor or roof loads.Under these circumstances z, while it is desirable to retain thevertical tie rods 15 which clamp the blocks between the rafter plate andthe foundation, some means may be provided to support the roof or floorload to prevent an excessive or destructive fracture of the blocks. Tothis end, at any place in the wall, but preferably where the tie rods 15are located I provide a supporting conduit 70, lnivinga cap 71 screwthreaded on the lower end thereof, flanged for support upon the topsurface of the foundation B, and extending upwardly through the aligningvoids or passageways 19 of the blocks, and at the upper end having areduced portion 73 defining a shoulder 7st at the 111110- ture thereofwith the lower part of the conduit 70. The top ed 'e of the portion 73terminates below the top surface of the topmost blocks in the wall.Slidalbly received in the upper reduced portion 73 is a follower 76,which has a flanged head 77 adapted to bear against the under surface ofthe rafter plate or top beam 20. A spring 78 under powerful compressionengages beneath the head flange 77 of the follower 76 and a washer 8Osupported on the shoulder 74, and normally acting to force the follower76 upwardly against the top beam or rafter plate 20 to bear some of theroof load in event circumstances are such that a fracture of the blocks10 or 10 might occur. This conduit construction also provides protectionfor the tie rod, against water and moisture which may seep through thecrevices of the blocks into the voids.

Upon completion of the wall C the superstructure D may be placedthereon. In case the superstructure D is a roof, the ends of the raftersor girders 50 thereof may rest on the beam 20 in the conventionalmanner.

it recognized that the structure of the building blocks or sections 10may vary widely, and if desired the passageways at the corners of thewalls for receiving the rods l5 may just snugly receive said rods.

in lieu of the adjustable horizontal tie rod construction 30 abovedescribed, the sections 31 and may be connected by means of a turnlmcklearrangement to bring the same together for clamping the blocks of anyparticular row or rows into a snug fitting arrangement. The anchorextensions 34 are also to be considered broadly, since various means maybe provided for anchoring the rod sections 31 and 32 in the end blocksat the corners of the wall.

It is entirely feasible to construct the corners of the wall only as theinitial part of th e wall formation, and the corner blocks of the wallthus being vertically superposed they maybe connected in a stablerelation by means of the vertical tie rods 15, and the remainder of thewall may then be completed after the formation of the corner columns, soto speak. In lieu of clamping the beam 20 directly to the top of thecorner columns of the wall construction, a metallic or other cap may beused at each of the corners to which the vertical tie rod 15 may beclamped.

The principal purpose of providing the horizontal reinforcement is toprotect the wall until the weight of the building comes thereon, and toprevent elongation of the all which would be likely to displace some ofthe adjacent blocks in any particular row or rows.

From the foregoing description of this invention it is apparent that a.norcl building construction has been provided, in which the blocksections may be economically produced under factory conditions much morecheaply than concrete or other masonry may be applied on the buildingsite to provide a wall. The improved wall herein described can beassembled, placed, plumbed and bolted or connected by semi-skilled laborvery rapidly. The wall after completion may be provided with a coat ofstucco or brick veneer, and any approved interior finishing such asplaster may be provided to make the wall weather-proof.

Various changes in the shape, size, and ar rangement of parts may bemade to the form of invention herein shown and described, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the same or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a wall construction the combination of a foundation, superposedrows of loosely disposed blocks mounted on the foundation to define saidwall, the blocks at the ends of the wall having vertically aligningpassageways thcrethrough from the foundation upwardly, eye bolts securedin the foundation facing upwardly in each of said vertical passagewaysat the ends of the wall, members detachably connected with said eyebolts and extending upwardly through the vertical passageways providedby the superposed positioning of said blocks at the ends of the wall,means to clamp the upper ends of said members against the top blocks atthe top of the wall whereby to exert a clamping pressure at the ends ofthe wall throughoutthe superposed blocl from the foundation upwardly tohold the ends of the wall in a stable relation, and horizontalconnecting and reinforcing means extending longitudinally of the wallconnected at its ends to these blocks at the ends of the wall which areheld in position by the vertically clamped memhere.

2. In a wall construction the combination of a foundation, a top beam,superposed rows of blocks between the foundation and top beam, saidblocks havingvertical passageways therethrough, tension elementsextending through said passageways and connected at their opposite endsto the foundation and top beam whereby to clamp the blocks together in astable relation, and horizontal connection members extendinghorizontally through the wall and connected at their ends to the blocksat the opposite ends of the wall.

In a building construction the combina tion of a plurality of superposedbuilding blocks defining a wall, certain of said building blocks at theends of the wall having vertical openings therein, and a tie rodconstruction for horizontally tying and reinforcing the blocks in thewall comprising a pair of relatively movable sections having the remoteends thereof provided with clownturned anchors projecting into theopenings of the end blocks of the wall, said rod sections at theiradjacent ends having means to clamp the same in a definitely adjustedrelation.

4. In a building construction an elongated foundation, an elongated wallon the foundation including a plurality of superposed building blockshaving vertical aligning openings therethrough at the ends of the walland at locations intermediate the ends of the wall, a longitudinallyextending beam capping the top of the wall, and tie rods under tensionconnected at their lower ends to the foundation and extending upwardlythrough the aligning openings at the ends of the wall and at locationsintermediate the ends of the wall and being connected at their upperends to the top beam at the ends thereof and at intermediate locationsthereon.

5. In a building construction an elongated foundation, an elongated wallon the foundation including a plurality of superposed building blockshaving vertical aligning openings therethrough at the ends of the walland at locations intermediate the ends of the wall, a longitudinallyextending beam capping the top of the wall, tie rods under tensionconnected at their lower ends to the foundation and extending upwardlythrough the aligning openin s at the ends of the wall and at locationsintermediate the ends of the wall and being connected at their upperends to the top beam at the ends thereof and at intermediate locationsthereon, and tie rods horizontally embedded between the blocks of thewall at a plurality of spaced locations between the foundations and topbeam, each of said horizontal tie rods including a pair ofsectionshaving an adjustable connection at the adjacent ends thereof,with the remote ends of said sections anchored to those blocks at theends of the wall through which the vertical tie rods extend.

6. In a wall structure the combination of a plurality of unmortaredblocks laid in superposed row relation upon each other, spacedhorizontal tie rods longitudinally tensioned and gripping the blocks atthe ends of the wall to horizontally clamp the re spective rows ofblocks in a beam relation, and vertical tie rods under tension andclamping the unmortared blocks in a beam relation together at spacedvertical locations along the length of the wall.

' 7. In a wall structure the combination of a plurality of unmort-aredbonded blocks placed in loose relation in superposed rows, horizontaltension tie rod constructions at spaced relation along the height of thewall longitudinally clamping the blocks in the rows in a beamdikerelation, the blocks of the superposed rows at the ends of the wallhaving voids therein providing vertical passageways, and tie rodsclamping the blocks together at the ends of the wall loosely extendingthrough said passageways and having means associated therewith at thelower and upper ends thereof to adjustably compress the blocks togetherin a non-obstructing function relation withrespect to'the horizontal tierod constructions.

8. In a building construction a plurality of horizontally superposedhorizontal rows of mortared connected blocks, horizontal tie rod meansconnecting the blocks of certain of the rows of blocks together,vertical tie rod means connecting the blocks together, and tie membersindividually connecting the tical adjacent blocks of other of the rowsof blocks together against relative movement away from each other.

9. In a wall construction the combination of a plurality of superposedrows of blocks, vertical tie rod means clamping the blocks together in avertical wall-like relation, and means resiliently acting to take a topload off the blocks under circumstances where an overload threatens tofracture the blocks.

10. In a wall construction the combination of a foundation, a pluralityof superposed blocks in wall-like relation on the foundation, :1 topload supporting beam on the blocks, verclampin means connecting thefoundation with the beam to clamp the blocks in a compressed wall-likerelation, and means acting etween the foundation and the load supportingbeam for relieving the blocks of the a load on the beam undercircumstances where the blocks threaten to fracture incident to anoverload.

11. In a wall construction the combination of a foundation, a pluralityof superposed blocks in wall-like relation on the foundation, top loadsupporting beam on the blocks, vertical clamping means connecting thefoundation with the beam to clamp the blocks in a compressed wall-likerelation, and resilient means under compression between the foundationand the load supporting beam normally acting to force the same counterto the means which tends to vertically compress said blocks.

12. In a wall construction of the class described a foundation having aneye bolt anchored therein with an eye extending upwardly in exposedrelation on top of the foundation, a plurality of superposed blockshaving aligning passageways therethrough with the eye of the eye boltdisposed in the bottom part of said passageways, a top member for theblocks, and on adjustable clamp rod having a lower hooked end adapted tobe slipped into the eye by insertion of the same downwardly through thealigning passageways of the blocks when they are assembled. said rodhaving means on the end thereof for engaging said top member for placingthe rod under tension to clamp the blocks between the top member and thefoundation.

13. In a wall construction of the class described a foundation having aneye bolt anchored therein with an eye extending upward ly in exposedrelation on top of the foundation, a plurality of superposed blockshaving aligning passageways therethrough with the eye of the eye boltdisposed in the bottom part of said passageways, a top member for tneblocks, and an adjustable clamp rod having a lower hooked end adapted tobe slipped into the eye by insert-ion of the same downwardly through thealigning passageways of the blocks when they are assembled, said rodhaving means on the end thereof to engage greases said top member forplacing the rod under tension to clamp the blocks between the top memberand the foundation, and means in the passageways of said blocks actingbetween the foundation and the top member to normally force the latterupwardly away from the foundation.

14. In a wall construction of the class described a foundation having aneye bolt anchored therein with an eye extending upwardly in exposedrelation on top of the foundation a plurality of superposed blockshaving aligning passageways therethrough with the eye of the eye boltdisposed in the bottom part of said passageways, a top member for theblocks, an adjustable clamp rod having a lower hooked end adapted to beslipped into the eye by insertion of the same downwardly through thealigning passageways of the blocks when they are assembled, said rodhaving means on the end thereof to engage said top member for placingthe rod under tension to clamp the blocks between the top member and thefoundation, and means in the passageways of said blocks actin g betweenthe foundation and the top member to normally force the latter upwardlyaway from the foundation, said means comprising a conduit enclosing therod in said passageway.

15. In a wall construction of the class described a. foundation, a loadsupporting beam, a plurality of building blocks between the foundationand load supporting beam upon which the latter normally rests, relatively movable members, one engaging the foundation and the other thetop beam, and spring means under compression therebetween for normallyforcing the top beam away from the foundation.

JAMES V. MONTRIEF.

lUO

